‘We stand behind the children’: Town shows support for 13 children allegedly tortured in ‘House of Horrors’

People in Perris, California, the town rocked by allegations that David and Louise Turpin kept their malnourished children chained to furniture, are rallying behind the victims as their parents face multiple charges.

According to Fox News, flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals were spotted outside the home where David, 57, and Louise, 49, allegedly tortured their 13 children for years. In addition to beating and starving their children, the California couple is accused of only allowing their kids to shower once a year and restricting their use of the toilet.

Authorities claimed that the prolonged neglect has left their severely underweight children with cognitive impairments, according to ABC.

Now, the community is gathering together to show the Turpin children that they have support.

“For me, it’s to show a little light in a dark tunnel,” neighbor Wendy Martinez told The Press-Enterprise as she placed 13 red, heart-shaped balloons in front of the Perris home.

“Now they’re free from the ugly life they were living.”

Jennifer Green, who lives across the street, told the local newspaper that she wishes she could’ve done something to stop the ongoing abuse but claimed she would’ve done something if she had known something sinister was going on.

“We’re trying to pull together to show we stand behind the children,” Green said as she and her children placed stuffed animals in front of the home.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Riverside County police arrested David and Louise this week after their 17-year-old daughter reportedly escaped the home and called for help. The teen allegedly told officers that her parents were holding her and her 12 siblings captive–and presented pictures that corroborated her story.

The couple is charged with 12 counts of torture, seven counts of abuse of a dependent adult, six counts of child abuse and 12 counts of false imprisonment. David is also charged with lewd act on a child under 14 by force or fear.

The Turpins are each being held on $12 million bail. They are scheduled to reappear in court on February 23.

[Featured Image: David and Louise Turpin/Riverside County Sheriff’s Department]